双语散文:积极的路径通向成功

【英文原文】

I have always been fascinated with the word Success. I have read countless descriptions and definitions of the word, but I have yet to find a description that is all encompassing. Success means different things to different people.

In blogging here at Success Begins Today, we have talked about a myriad of things that lead to success, but it is hard to put into words the exact meaning.

The dictionary says Success is

the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.

the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.

Yet those words tend to imply that success is a destination. If that is true, then it begs the question… are we a failure until we reach the destination? I like Authur Ashe’s definition better…

Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.

In my experience, I would agree with that statement. So many times the journey itself is the key element. The important thing about the journey is the direction. Is it leading to success or is it leading to failure.

For the new year, I would like to introduce the concept of consequences.

The definition of Consequence is

the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier:
The accident was the consequence of reckless driving.
an act or instance of following something as an effect, or outcome.
Eating less at each meal led to positive consequences.

In simple terms a path of action can have three different outcomes or consequences.

1. Positive Consequences. The path leads in a positive direction towards success

2. negative Consequences. The path leads in a negative direction towards failure

3. Unintended Consequences. The path led in a different direction than planned.

This simple concept can help us judge our actions and goals.

Let me give you a simple example of each one.

1. If you save 10% of your income each paycheck and put it in savings, the consequences are very positive. In times of trouble or in retirement you’ll have a nest egg to draw from.

2. If you spend more that your paycheck by 10% by charging things on a credit card it can have very negative consequences in the long term by creating a growing debt balance with high interest.

3. Lending money to a friend or family member may seem like a helpful thing to do but may have the unintended consequences of anger and broken relationships if the debt is not repaid.

It is my premise that doing activities and setting goals with positive consequences will lead a person to success.

【中文译文】

我常常为成功这个字眼着迷。我读过无数个关于成功的描述和定义，但没有一个可以包容成功的全部含义。对于每一个人，成功有着不同的意义。
在成功从今天开始（Success Begins Today）这个博客中，我们讨论了无数种达到成功的方法，但是要准确地用语言表达成功是很难的。

词典中说成功是付出尝试和努力而获得的喜人的、良好的结果，或者是获取财富、地位、荣誉之类的东西。

但是这些定义偏向于暗示成功是一种目的。如果这种说法是真的，那么就导致一个问题——如果我们没有得到成功的结果，我们就只能算是失败者吗？我个人比较喜欢作家阿西亚（Ashe）对成功的定义：
——成功是一次旅程，而不是旅程的目的。做的过程比结果更重要。
以我的经历为例，我完全同意这种说法。很多时候，旅程本身才是核心。旅程中重要的是方向。它可以引导你走向成功或失败。
新的一年中，我想介绍一下结果的概念。

结果的定义是
之前发生事件导致的效果、结果或成果，例如事故是不安全驾驶的结果。
紧随行动或事件后的表现为效果或结果的事物，例如每餐少吃点导向积极的结果。
简单地说，一系列行动可以导致三种不同成果或结果。
1.积极的结果。这种行动采用积极的指导从而导向成功。
2.消极的结果。这种行动采用消极的指导从而导向失败。
3.中性的结果。这种行动不遵循既定的计划而采用不同的指导。
这个简单的概念可以帮助我们判断我们的行动和目标。
让我举例说明不同的结果。
1．如果你将薪水的10％节约下来存入银行，其结果是十分积极的。在苦难或退休时期，你还有储备金可以依靠。
2．如果你透支信用卡花掉比你收入多10％的钱购物，其结果是十分消极的。在长远看来，它会导致高利率负债的不断增长。
3．把钱借给朋友或亲戚看上去是很好的是，但是如果对方不还债，可能会导致愤怒和关系破裂等预料之外结果。
我的假定是——做产生积极结果的行动和设定引向积极结果的目标将使一个人获得成功。